We help to shape the future of Asia

GOSTARTEM is a niche crowdfunding platform that gives techvestors a chance to fund the growth of innovative technologies in Asia.

A Technology Marketplace

Founded by two ex-investment bankers with more than 20 years of combined finance industry experience, the idea grew out from a passion to boost the technology sector in Southeast Asia. We believe the potential for the region's tech scene has just scratched the surface. The sector will continue growing exponentially over the medium term.

We offer several fund raising and investment options depending on the needs and interests of techpreneurs and techvestors. Tech-match crowdfunding enables techpreneurs to raise funding by giving techvestors part of its stake. We play a crucial role of matching techpreneurs with the right global techvestors (currently limited to accredited investors), who can provide both funding and guidance. Rewards crowdfunding enables fund raising by offering techvestors innovative, one-of-a-kind products. And social crowdfunding enables fund raising through donations for technologies dedicated to social causes.

Our Differentiation

Gostartem is the first and only crowdfunding platform solely focused on Asian tech. We stand out from the other crowdfunding platforms through our partnerships with highly qualified tech leaders across major ASEAN countries to identify unique and promising tech startups. Our partners have outstanding entrepreneurial track records and have themselves been involved in high profile startups across the region. Gostartem also boasts a vast network of VC firms and angel investors who can potentially offer funding and guidance to our techpreneur clients.

The Techvestor Experience

We offer techvestors the opportunity to be a part of the Asian tech growth story. Gostartem offers a centralised platform to find the most attractive startups and tech products in the region. Our web-based platform ensures seamless execution across the choices of tech-match, rewards and social based campaigns. While we stress on thoroughness and accuracy in funding campaigns, techvestors have the option to get in touch with techpreneurs through Gostartem to request for additional information or direct communication.

The Name

The name Gostartem is a play on the phrase 'Go Start Them'. The EM also stands for Emerging Markets, as we focus on helping startups in emerging Asia. We believe the region is abound with talented techpreneurs and promising startups. The lack of financing and/or expertise, however, prevents them from growing into world-class players. Our partnership with techvestors can fill this resource gap and play a crucial role in cultivating the startup community in the region. In return, these startups can potentially offer extraordinary returns not available through most other asset classes.

Gostartem Technology

Our web-based crowdfunding platform is designed to be user-friendly, with a focus on transparency, accuracy, and thoroughness. At the same time, we make the fund raising and investing process sociable, interactive and educative. Navigating with ease, users can toggle between our options for tech-match, rewards and social based crowdfunding.

Get connected with promising startups in Asia. Be a shareholder and take part in their exciting growth journey.

Back creative tech campaigns. Be the first to own innovative tech creations.

Support tech for humanity. Bring happiness to less-fortunate communities through life-changing technologies.

Techpreneur

Q :

What kind of startups can raise funding from Gostartem crowdfunding?

A :

We welcome any tech-related company in Asia with at least a minimum viable product (MVP). We have a broad definition of tech, which includes internet-related businesses, software, hardware, mobile apps, and scientific inventions.

Q :

Does Gostartem screen the campaigns which will be featured?

A :

For rewards and social crowdfunding, Gostartem is open to most startups. However, campaigns will have to be approved by the Gostarteam before launch to ensure appropriateness and that it is not potentially offensive to the public.

For tech-match crowdfunding, Gostartem screens campaigns for business attractiveness and viability, investment/exit potential, management competency, and sufficiency of information. Gostartem will have the final decision on which businesses can raise financing through our platform so we can offer techvestors the best investments on a risk/reward basis.

Q :

What type of crowdfunding is suitable for my company?

A :

Tech-match – for entrepreneurs willing to give up some shares for larger funding, and potential mentorship by VCs and experienced angels.

Rewards – for entrepreneurs looking for funding for a particular campaign involving manufacturing or providing particular services, part of which are offered to techvestors. This is ideal for techpreneurs that do not want to dilute their stake in their startup.

Social – for businesses with social motives and looking to help communities through technology.

Q :

What stage of funding can I raise from Gostartem?

A :

Gostartem focuses on pre-seed to seed fundings for startups. Businesses with a longer track record and strong cash flow generation may also raise Serie A funding through Gostartem.

Q :

What type of investors does Gostartem target?

A :

Tech-match – primarily tech VCs and angels/accredited investors, preferably those who can provide mentoring and guidance to the startups. We may also target retail investors, if and when we decide to apply for and successfully get tech-match crowdfunding permits from regulators within the region.

Rewards and Social – anyone who has an interest in tech.

Q :

What documents do techpreneurs need to provide to techvestors?

A :

We advise techpreneurs to provide as much information as possible to techvestors to increase trust and transparency among parties. At the minimum, techpreneurs should provide the following: business plan, presentation/pitch deck and financial information. For tech-match crowdfunding, we also suggest techpreneurs provide a draft term sheet and shareholder agreement to techvestors to reduce the time in negotiating deals.

Q :

Will I have to meet with techvestors?

A :

Most times, no. However, you are expected to have calls or video conferences with techvestors to provide them with more details on your business/campaign, to build trust and to answer questions.

Q :

When will I get the funds from a successful campaign?

A :

The funds will be disbursed within 3-5 working days after a successful rewards/social-based campaign.

Q :

How often do I need to provide updates to techvestors?

A :

We suggest at least once every month after the funding close. However, there may be instances that techvestors will require updates in a more frequent basis.

Q :

How do I set up my campaign?

A :

See ‘How it works’

Q :

Is there a fee for setting up a funding campaign?

A :

Yes, techpreneurs will need to pay a fee of 5% for tech-match crowdfunding, 3% for rewards crowdfunding, and 1% for social crowdfunding.

Techvestor

Q :

Am I eligible to invest through Gostartem?

A :

Our rewards and social crowdfunding sites are open to everyone. However, before investing, each techvestor will need to register online as a Gostartem member.

For tech-match crowdfunding, we only allow angels/accredited investors and financial institutions (e.g. venture capitals, private tech-match firms) to invest. These investors will need to register with Gostartem as a member before they can start investing.

As and when we get the necessary permits for tech-match crowdfunding from regulators within the region, we will open our tech-match crowdfunding investors to retail investors.

Q :

What is the risk of investing through tech-match crowdfunding?

A :

Startup investing is high risk. Approximately 9 out of 10 high-growth tech startups fail within three years, according to a research co-authored by the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford faculty members (Startup Genome Report). In light of this risk, we advise techvestors to diversify their startup portfolio. In a portfolio of 10 startups, we believe that one successful startup can more than compensate losses from the others, given the growth potential in the Asian tech sector.

Techvestors also face the risk that equities in startup are illiquid. Getting cash from the share in equities normally only occurs after an exit by the startup, which typically involves an initial public offering or a trade sale. Techvestors can sell their shares in startups, although finding a willing buyer is often challenging.

While Gostartem, through a best-effort basis, ensures that information provided by techpreneurs are correct, we cannot fully guarantee the full accuracy of information.

Q :

When do I transfer payment to the company, and how?

A :

Payment for shares is required to be made within 2 working days following the signing of the term sheet and shareholder agreement with techpreneurs. Payment will be made through an independent third-party custodian account, through bank transfer or Paypal. Only when the full campaign funding requirement is met will the money be transferred from our custodian to techpreneurs. If the full funding requirement is not reached, the money at the custodian will be returned to the techvestors.

Q :

Will techvestors pay a fee for investing through Gostartem?

A :

No. However, techvestors will have to bear the payment transfer fee, whether it is through bank transfer or Paypal.

Q :

How can I keep track of my investment portfolio?

A :

Click on your profile and go to ‘Dashboard’.

Q :

Can techvestors contact techpreneurs directly?

A :

Yes, techvestors can contact techpreneurs directly via email.

Q :

What if I have a question that I do not see here?

A :

Send us an email at info@gostartem.com with your questions and we will get back to you as soon as possible.